This chapter is rated M for sexual content.

Chapter 23: The Order

Lilly rolled over on her side, balancing her head on her palm as she looked at her husband. He looked back at her with a grin. "Has it been fifteen minutes yet?" she asked Arthur.

He laughed and rolled over on top of her. "No, but we can do somethin' else to pass the time."

"Mmm," she said, grinning up at him. "Like what?"

Arthur kissed her neck and shoulder. "Well..." he said as he started traveling down her body, leaving butterfly kisses along the way. "I could," he kissed her collarbone, "always," he kissed her breast, then flicked her nipple with his tongue and she moaned, "mmm, hang on a minute."

"Mmm, what?" she asked as he sucked on her breast while grasping the other.

"Mmm, just...love doin' this..."

Lilly giggled and groaned in pleasure. "I love you doin' this too."

Arthur continued sucking on her nipple as his hand traveled down to her wetness, then he pressed a fingertip to her clit and Lilly let out another moan. Arthur massaged it and Lilly moved onto her back, opening her legs to provide more access for Arthur. He moved down to put his head between her legs and Arthur started tasting her. Lilly grabbed his hair and moaned as his tongue licked her. "Sin chomh maith, mo chuisle." [That's so good, my pulse.]

"Mmm, what's that?" Arthur said into her labia, making her twitch with pleasure.

"That's so good, mo chuisle."

Arthur chuckled into her pussy and Lilly twitched again. Arthur looked up at her with devilish eyes. "Do you like it when I talk down here?"

Lilly nodded as she looked at him. "Uh huh."

Arthur chuckled and went back to eating her out. Lilly's head arched back as his lips vibrated against her vaginal lips. "You taste so good, Lillian," he said into her.

Lilly jolted and giggled. "Mmm, like honey?"

"Yes. I'm gonna lick your honeypot clean, but..." Lilly felt him insert a finger and Lilly moaned out. "First, I need more to come out." Lilly's hips bucked when his finger slid in and out and his tongue flicked her clit. Arthur put in another finger and his thrusts increased in speed. Lilly felt his fingertips rub her g-spot and her breathing became heavy. Her hips kept bucking and soon her orgasm climbed its peak, and as she came, liquid gushed from her and she cried out in pleasure, making Arthur laughed. "I remember that you do that."

Lilly chuckled breathlessly and looked down at him. "Yes, I do that."

Arthur licked her clean then he looked up at her. "You want some more?"

"Yes, please."

Arthur chuckled and went back to pleasing his wife.

After a few rounds of sex, Lilly had fallen asleep. Arthur held her close and stared at her face, thinking that she looked peaceful and content. Lilly snuggled closer to him and groaned in her sleep. Arthur felt happy. He had a wonderful woman and he thought he was the luckiest man alive. He looked over at the window. The sun was going down. Arthur scooted away from Lilly gently before getting out of bed and dressing in his gunslinger outfit with a tan jacket. He put on his hat and walked out the door, feeling hungry.

When the door closed, Lilly opened her eyes and immediately bolted out of bed. She had to hurry. She got dressed in a red and black buttoned down shirt, black pants, and black western boots. She brushed her hair quickly, grabbed her weapons, left a note for Arthur, and walked out into the hall. She decided to take the stairs instead of the elevator with the attendant. Stairs were faster. She got to the lobby, looked around for Arthur, then walked outside to where a carriage was waiting for her. She opened the door and narrowed her eyes at the man inside.

"Yer the one escortin' me tah this thing?!" she snapped.

Mr. Pierce took off his hat. "Yes, Mrs. Morgan," he replied.

Lilly rolled her eyes and crawled inside. "Yer just lucky me husband hasna seen ya!"

The carriage rolled away from the hotel as she sat down, crossing her arms. "Why do you have your weapons?"

"Because I want Arthur tah think I went out huntin'. I'm not supposed tah tell anyone about this, remember?"

"Yes, of course. At least until it is done and you are inducted into the chapter."

Lilly shook her head. "I really dunna understand why the king ordered ya to help me with this."

"Perhaps to help me atone for my wrong doings?"

Lilly glared at Mr. Pierce. "There is nothin' that will let ya ever atone fer what ya did tah me, and I dunna even know why ya did it."

"We needed to confirm that you were Adair."

Lilly clicked her tongue. "And torturin' me was a way tah do that? So why the fuck did ya let Brutus keep torturin' me the second time?!"

"That was unfortunate."

"Unfortunate?! The man flogged and raped me!"

Mr. Pierce held up his hands. "And I'm sorry it happened. I'm sorry for everything that was done to you."

"Keep yer feckin' apologies. Just shut up."

Arthur came back upstairs with a tray of food. He set it down and unlocked the hotel room door. He opened it, grabbed the tray, and walked in.

"Hey, I got us some food. I thought you might be hungry," he said. He looked at the bed. It was empty. "Lilly?"

He looked everywhere around the room but couldn't find her. He saw her note on the nightstand, though.

Arthur,

I went out for a bit. Will be back later tonight.

Love,

Your Bean Chéile

Arthur made a black face and put the letter down. "Where did she run off to?"

Arthur ate and finished his dinner in silence. When he was done, there was a knock on the door. "Lilly? Arthur? It's Patrick. I'm bringing back Brian and James."

Arthur walked over and opened the door. The boys ran in and jumped on the bed and Arthur scolded them. "Hey! Off!"

The boys reluctantly did as they were told and laid on the ground. Arthur shook his head with a chuckle. "Misbehaving rascals," Patrick said. He poked his head in and looked around. "Where's Lilly?"

"Damned if I know. She left a very vague note. I assumed she went and found you guys."

Patrick shook his head. "Never saw her. Are ya worried?"

"No. Just curious as to where she could have gone."

"Ya wantah go downstairs fer a pint, lad?"

"Sure. Boys, stay here. You've caused enough chaos today." The boys whined and Arthur left Lilly a note before leaving the room with Patrick.

It started raining out by the time the carriage arrived at the building Lilly was supposed to go into. Mr. Pierce handed her an umbrella. "This is where I leave you."

Lilly looked at him. "How long will this last, you think?"

"Oh, an hour. Maybe two, but I'm only basing this on how long the men's rituals are."

Lilly's mouth went agape. "Two hours? Just for an initiation ceremony?"

"Yes. And no men allowed, so I cannot go in."

Lilly sighed, got out of the carriage and opened the umbrella. The carriage left and Lilly walked towards the building. It was a big church. Lilly recognized it as a St. Paul's Catherdral now that she had a good look at it. She rolled her eyes and knocked on the church door. As she waited, Lilly stared down at her feet. She was feeling nervous. The door opened to reveal a blonde haired woman in a white long sleeved dress with an upside down star symbol on the left side of her chest. The woman looked Lilly up and down and raised a brow.

"You can't do the ceremony in that attire. You'll have to change into a dress."

Lilly sighed. "Do you have one available?"

"Yes. Come in, Candidate Morgan." Lilly folded up the umbrella and walked in. The woman shut the church door behind her.

Arthur clinked his glass with Patrick's then they drank from their pints. It was close to midnight now and Arthur was getting worried. Patrick seemed to notice and ordered more pints.

"Dunna worry, mate. I'm sure the lass is just fine," he saud, trying to reassure his friend.

Arthur nodded without much confidence. "I know, but I just wish I knew where the hell she went."

"Hey, why don't ya tell me about one of yer stories back in America?"

Arthur chuckled. "My stories?"

"Yeah, like...hmm, Lilly said something about not getting to fight Colm?"

Arthur laughed. "Oh, that."

Arthur walked through the snow towards the little shack Javier was guarding. Arthur waved at him with a grin. "Good mornin'," he said.

"Another cold morning," Javier replied glumly."

How're you doin'?"

"Not too bad, considering."

Arthur smiled. "That's the spirit."

"Okay, brother."

Just then, Lilly walked out of the shack wearing her white snow jacket, pants, and boots. Arthur smiled at her a bit, taking note at how her auburn hair contrasted against all the white she was wearing. "Lilly..." he greeted.

"Arthur," she said casually.

They hadn't spoken much since she got back, considering the fight they had back in the lake near Blackwater. Arthur wanted to talk to her but didn't know how to apologize for calling her a whore.

"Hey Lilly," Javier said. "You really got chased down by a bear?"

"Yeah, that's how I got lost in the first place," Lilly replied.

"Hey, I'm sorry about Holly," Javier mentioned. "She was a good horse."

Lilly nodded sadly. "Thank you, Iavier. Poor thing, but at least she was dead when the wolves started eatin' her."

Arthur frowned. He'd forgotten all about that black Tennessee Walker of hers. "I'm sorry about Holly too."

Lilly nodded. "Thanks."

She turned around to walk back in. Arthur bowed his head and sighed. "Lilly, I need to-"

The door shut and he groaned. Javier chuckled. "She still mad?"

"I think so," Arthur replied.

"Well, at least you both are talking again...sort of. Pretty soon you'll be back to flirtin' in no time."

Arthur scratched the back of his neck. "I kinda told her that we needed to stop flirtin'."

Javier's mouth opened. "You're kidding. Are you stupid?"

"Yes."

Javier laughed. "Then go say you're sorry or else others will try to sweep her up, me included."

Arthur gave Javier a serious look. "Don't even joke about that." Arthur went to the door and opened it, hearing Micah talk.

"...up with you boys, because I thought you liked action." Arthur shut the door and walked past him to the window. "Couple of days on the lam, and you lost have all turned yella." Micah handed Arthur some alcohol. "Except you, of course," Micah said, pointing at Lenny.

"Shut up, Micah," Lenny spat.

Lilly put a cigarette in her mouth and searched her pockets for matches but Arthur lit a match for her. Lilly looked at him strangely for a moment and lit her cigarette.

"I ain't never seen so many long faces," Micah continued as Arthur warmed his hands by the indoor stove. Just then Javier walked in.

"I guess folks miss them...that fell?" Bill observed before taking a puff from his cigarette.

"Well, when I fall, I don't want no fuss," Micah explained.

Arthur heard Lilly snort as he lit his own cigarette and sat down in a chair. She was sitting on the table next to him.

"When you fall, there'll be a party," Lenny joked.

Everyone laughed at that joke. "A party, probably," Bill said while chuckling.

Micah stood up and took a few steps towards Bill. "That funny, huh?"

Bill looked up at him with a grin. "Sure."

Micah punched Bill in the face then turned away as Bill got up to charged him. Arthur, Lenny, and Javier stopped him.

"Maybe I don't feel lile bein' laughed at by the likes of you two," Micah snapped.

Dutch walked in. "Stop it! Now! You fools punchin' each other when Colm O'Driscoll needs punchin', hard." Arthur walked towards the door with Lilly tailing behind him. "You wanna sit around waitin' for him to come find us? All of you, we got work to do. Except you, Lilly. You stay here."

Lilly choked on her cigarette smoke. "I'm sorry, what?!"

Dutch sighed and put a hand on her shoulder. "You only just got back, Lilly. You need some rest."

"But Da, I've already had plenty of rest!"

Dutch shook his head. "Please, Iníon." [Daughter.]

"But I wantah come with!"

Micah laughed. "Now now, Miss O'Callaghan, why don't you go knit a quilt or somethin' while us big boys go kill some O'Driscolls? You know, women's work."

Lilly threw down her cigarette and almost charged him when Dutch pulled her back. "Enough, Micah."

Micah threw up his hands in submission and walked off. "This isn't fair, Da! I wantah go out and kill people!"

Dutch and Arthur laughed. "Bloodthirsty little varmint, ain't she?" Arthur said with pride. "Lilly, you need to stay and rest."

Lilly turned around and glared at Arthur. "Dunna tell me what I feckin' need!" she yelled and stormed off.

Arthur sighed and looked at Dutch. "Are you sure about this, Dutch?"

"Yes," Dutch replied.

"Folk been through a lot recently, we hardly back on our feet yet."

"The last thing we need is to get bushwacked by Colm O'Driscoll." Dutch clapped a hand on Arthur's shoulder. "Let's go." They both went walking.

Arthur glanced back at Lilly who was watching them, glaring daggers at everybody. "You sure we shouldn't let Lilly come along? You know how she gets about bein' stuck in one place."

"She ain't the one I'm worried about."

Arthur chuckled. "I doubt that."

"No, you're just doubtin' me."

Arthur stared at him in shock. "I would never doubt you, Dutch! You...you ain't worried about her?"

"I'm more worried about you worryin' about her," Dutch said with a smile. "I need you to stay focused, and you will now that you know Lilly is safe and sound."

Arthur blinked. "I don't follow you, Dutch."

Dutch chuckled deeply and mounted up on The Count. "You're in love with my daughter," he whispered.

Arthur gulped. "I am not!"

Dutch sighed with a shake of his head. "I think the last few days proved otherwise, Arthur."

Arthur swallowed. Was he that obvious? It didn't matter, he realized, because he was simply going to deny it...except in front of Charles. Charles knew all about Arthur's feelings for Lilly. He decided to change the subject. "So, we robbin' a train? You sure about that?"

Dutch laughed and handed Arthur some rope and a repeater. "Take these, son. Colm always had good information. Come on."

Arthur mounted up on his horse. "And you think now is the right time to hit a train?"

"Now you might fancy livin' on deer piss and rabbit shit, I'm gettin' too old for that life. Mr. Matthews, Mr. Smith, Mr. Pearson, Miss O'Callaghan, would you please look after the place? There are O'Driscolls about! H'yah!"

The men started riding out and Arthur paused too look at a still fuming Lilly. "We'll be back soon, Lilly," Arthur said with a soft smile. "Don't go anywhere."

Lilly scoffed and turned her back to Arthur. Arthur frowned and trotted off after the gang.

Patrick sighed and shook his head. "You were pretty obvious, weren't ya? What happened next?"

Arthur took a drink of hos beer. "Well, then we-"

Lilly flung her arms around Arthur from behind and giggled. "Hey guys. What's goin' on?"

Arthur smiled and turned his head to look at her from the corner of his eye. "Just havin' some drinks. Where did you go off to?"

Lilly kissed his cheek. "Just out explorin' the city and things."

Arthur squinted his eyes. He had a feeling Lilly was lying but he wasn't sure why. He turned and kissed her gently. "You wanna drink with us?" he asked her.

"Sure." Lilly scooted in between them and ordered a pint of porter. She got it and started drinking. "Mmm, you boys got a head start on me."

"That we did, Mrs. Morgan." Arthur wrapped an arm around her waist. "You see anythin' excitin' while you was out?"

"I saw St. Paul's Cathedral. That was pretty excitin'."

Patrick sighed. "Well, I'm glad ya got yer sightseeing done because I have tah report to a Mr. Bradley tomorrow about me supplies and such. Are ya still supposed tah report tah the king?"

"Yes, and no. Um...I'm supposed to report to, uh..." she paused with a frown.

Arthur took a drink from his glass. "To who?" he chuckled.

Lilly held up her pint and quickly said, "Mr. Pierce," before taking a drink.

Arthur and Patrick's faces went cold. "Mr. Pierce?!" Arthur and Patrick both snapped.

Lilly cringed a little. "Don't get mad at me, I didn't make the arrangement!" she exclaimed in a high pitched voice.

"I'm not, but Lilly, this is the same guy who-" Arthur started to say but Lilly interrupted him.

"I know damn well what he did, I was there when it happened. Trust me, I'm not happy about it, either."

Arthur snarled and took another drink. Patrick did the same. "That bastard," Patrick said. "I canna believe the Freemasons are doing this tah ya."

Lilly shrugged and took another drink. "It is what it is. Now..." Lilly finished the rest of her drink and leaned close to Arthur's ear. "I'm gonna ride you very, very hard tonight," she whispered.

Arthur quickly pulled out money, paid his tab, and finished his drink. "Patrick, I believe Lilly and I are gonna retire for the night."

Patrick chuckled and took a drink. "Okay, well, ya need tah-"

Arthur didn't let Patrick finish as he grabbed Lilly's hand and dragged her through the crowd to the lobby. They ran up the stairs to their room and Arthur kissed her deeply as they got to the door. Lilly giggled into his mouth as she fished around for his key in his shirt pocket. When she found it, she unlocked the door, they both walked in, then Arthur slammed it shut with his boot.